Kisumu: After years of chronic water shortage, residents of Bar Ogwal village in Kisumu County can finally breathe a sigh of relief following the commissioning of a Sh4.9 million community water purification project, designed to provide safe and clean water to more than 1,000 families.
According to Kenya News Agency, the new initiative, domiciled at Bar Ogwal Primary School, features both a community water project and a modern treatment plant. It was jointly funded by SOS Children's Villages Kenya and Davis and Shirtliff and is expected to benefit residents of Bar Ogwal and surrounding communities.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili, who presided over the commissioning ceremony, hailed the project as a transformative milestone that will ease the burden of water scarcity while enhancing the quality of life. 'This project will significantly transform the daily lives of our children. It means saving many hours wasted trekking long distances in search of water and reduced risk of waterborne diseases that often keep children out of school,' Owili said.
He further highlighted broader social challenges facing children in Kisumu County, noting that nearly 46.6 percent of the county's population are children, yet school completion rates remain alarmingly low. 'Only a third of our children complete secondary education, and just over seven percent advance to tertiary level. Even more concerning, nearly half of all reported child abuse cases in our county are linked to neglect. These are not just statistics, they represent real children, real families, and real communities,' Owili emphasized.
The Deputy Governor urged more partnerships to replicate the Bar Ogwal success story in other areas of the county, stressing that equitable access to essential services such as water was critical to protecting children's dignity and unlocking their potential. 'It challenges us to replicate this success in other parts of the county, to ensure that every child, in every village, has access to the basic services that uphold their dignity and unlock their potential,' Owili said.
Walter Odhiambo, the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Kenya, echoed the Deputy Governor's sentiments, affirming that the partnership with Davis and Shirtliff was about creating lasting change for children and families. 'The transformation is already visible. More than 1,000 children at Bar Ogwal Primary now drink safe water every day. Neighbouring Mikendwa School and the wider community also enjoy direct access to healthier meals and improved sanitation. Families are spared the financial and emotional toll of preventable waterborne illnesses,' Odhiambo noted.
To ensure sustainability, a local water management committee has been formed and trained to manage the project effectively, guaranteeing long-term access to clean water for the community.